Leaders in Independence and Jackson County are meeting Monday evening to try to work out a dispute that has left a new $5 million animal shelter empty and unused.

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The two sides are trying to figure out who will run the facility.

County leaders said there was an agreement in 2009 that the county would build it and the city of Independence would operate it. They said a few weeks ago there had been an agreement in place for Great Plains Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to run the shelter for the next five years.

Jackson County has passed the agreement, but it has yet to get a green light from Independence.

Animal lovers said they just want people to work it out.

"I imagine, like so many other issues in this world, it boils down to money," said Cheryl Harkness. "We see it here in Washington, D.C., and all around the world."

"You don't build a facility and then figure out who's going to pay for it and operate it," said Nancy Butler of Independence. "You do that beforehand."

No final decisions were reached in Monday's meeting. If the city does approve the deal with the county, it would pay the county to operate the shelter.

Once the deal is finalized, the new facility would likely open within two months.